Africa

Angola The licence covering Block 0, the ChevronTexaco-operated area offshore the enclave of Cabinda, was extended from the 2010 expiry date to 2030. ChevronTexaco said last month that the 36 major fields in the block—including Takula and Malongo—are flowing an average of 400,000 b/d. In a move welcomed by transparency pressure-groups, state-owned Sonangol made public the sums paid by licence participants for the extension—a $210m signing bonus and an $80m 'social bonus' (part of which is to be spent in Cabinda). Interests in Block 0 are ChevronTexaco, 39.2%, Sonangol, 41%, Total, 10%, and Eni, 9.8%. Egypt BP has made a gas discovery in its Ras el Barr licence, in the Nile delta. The Taurt w